Spathiphyllum plant `Bond B`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Spathiphyllum is provided. It is a medium size, full plant, suitable for production in a 20-25 cm pot; branches freely; has relatively large, dark green, glossy, thick leaves. Medium to large spathes are held on strong peduncles moderately high above foliage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct Spathiphyllum cultivarcharacterized by the following combination of repeatedly observedtraits:

1. Medium size,

2. full growth habit,

3. abundant branching,

4. relatively large, dark green, thick, glossy leaves,

5. medium to large spathes, held moderately high above foliage on strongpeduncles;

and primarily selected for those characteristics being so selected fromthe progeny of the cross stated below being grown near Altha, Fla. in acultivated area.

ORIGIN AND ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Asexual reproduction of this cultivar by tissue culture was directed byme, such reproduction establishing that the plant does in fact maintainthe characteristics described in successive generations.

The plant was initially selected in a planned breeding program in acultivated area in Dade City, Fla. It has been reproduced by tissueculture in the vicinity of Altha, Fla. since 1992 with thecharacteristics stated. The female was Spathiphyllum `Alice` and themale parent was Spathiphyllum wallisii. The cross was made in 1987 andthe seedling was selected in 1989.

This new cultivar has been identified as Spathiphyllum `Bond B`. It ispossible that other identification will be adopted in the trade, but thename selected will serve for the purposes hereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible, in a color illustration of this character, typical specimensof the plant parts of the new cultivar. The plant of `Bond B` wasapproximately 15 months from planting a tissue cultured microcutting andgrown in a 20 cm pot.

In the photographs:

FIG. 1 depicts the whole plant;

FIG. 2 illustrates the mature inflorescence;

FIG. 3 illustrates the top of a mature leaf; and

FIG. 4 illustrates the bottom of a mature leaf.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW CULTIVAR

The following observations and measurements describe plants grown nearAltha, Fla. under greenhouse conditions. These observations andmeasurements were recorded in October, 1995 from mature plants (about 15months from planting tissue cultured microcuttings) grown in 20 cm pots.Fully developed organs were used for measurements. Two types of leaveswere measured: a leaf at the base of an inflorescence (further called aflower leaf) and the preceding leaf (further called a non-flower leaf).Color values were determined or Oct. 5, 1995, under natural, indirectlight of approximately 400 foot-candles. Color references are made tothe RHS Color Chart, except where general color terms of ordinarysignificance are used.

`Bond B` has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment andhorticultural practices, such as temperature, light intensity, daylength, fertilization, propagation method, etc., without any change ingenotype.

Parentage:

Female parent.--Spathiphyllum `Alice`.

Male parent.--Spathiphyllum wallisi.

Propagation: Plant tissue culture.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Medium size, full, well branched, with a dominant mainstem.

Height.--Foliage 52-58 cm, with spathes 72-82 cm.

Diameter.--79-84 cm.

Petiole:

Size.--Flower leaf: 30.3-35.5 cm long, 4.4-5.0 mm in diameter(immediately below geniculum).

Non-flower leaf: 26.7-31.0 cm long, 5.0-5.7 mm in diameter immediatelybelow geniculum).

Geniculum.--Flower leaf: 3.9-4.7 cm long 5.4-6.2 mm in diameter.Non-flower leaf: 4.0-4.7 cm long, 6.0-7.3 mm in diameter.

Leaf blade:

Shape.--Elliptic to ovate, asymmetric in respect to midrib, slightlyconvex with sunken midrib; base: between cuneate and obtuse, narrowlydecurrent on peduncle; tip: acuminate with aristate tendencies, usuallycurved down, asymmetric and sometimes slightly cuspidate on one side.Leaf blades on side shoots are usually narrower and flatter, with morecuneate bases.

Size--Flower leaf: 29.5-35.5 cm long by 14.7-18.2 cm wide; length: widthratio 1.8-2.1:1.

Non-flower leaf: 30.0-39.5 cm long by 15.9-19.9 cm wide; length: widthratio 1.8-2.2:1.

Texture.--Leathery, smooth, glossy; young leaves polished.

Veins.--Well defined and sunken in the adaxial leaf surface.

Color.--Mature leaf: Adaxial: much darker than 147A; veins the samecolor. Abaxial: lighter than 147B. Veins: midrib 144A at the base,becomes lighter distally--144B at mid length, similar to 147D beyond 3/4length, except for the tip, where it is darker than the surroundingtissue. Segments of primary veins close to midrib approximately 144B.Newly unfolded leaf: Adaxial: greener than 146A; veins the same color.Abaxial: similar to 147B, 147C and 138B. Veins: most of midrib andsegments of primary veins close to midrib similar to 147D.

Inflorescence: Inflorescences carried moderately high above foliage onstrong, usually straight peduncles.

Peduncle:

Size.--62.0-70.0 cm long (including stipe), 4.3-6.2 mm in diameterimmediately below spathe; peduncle slightly thins approximately 7-8 cmbelow spathe.

Color.--Front: immediately below spathe most similar to, but lighter andmore gray than 143C with some resemblance to 138B and to 144B;proximally it becomes darker--most similar to 144A at the mid length ofthe free portion; adjacent to petiole sheath it is sometimes lighter.Back: Varies from 144A-B to 143C immediately below spathe; darker andgreener--137C and 138A at mid length of the free portion.

Stipe.--0.7-1.1 cm long (back side), 3.7-5.6 mm in diameter.

Spathe:

Shape.--Elliptic, cupped; tip: between cuspidate and acuminate witharistate tendencies, asymmetric, curled; base: between obtuse andcuneate, usually asymmetric; wings 1.2-1.9 cm long, 1.3-2.5 mm wide,narrowly decurrent on peduncle.

Size.--13.2-16.3 cm long by 7.8-9.9 cm wide and 1.6-2.3 cm deep;length:width ratio 1.6-1.8:1.

Color.--Closed bud (front mid length): a little lighter than 157A, muchdarker than 155A.

Mature spathe: Between 155A and 157C on both sides, with green tip andsome green veins. On the back side predominant color of the proximalpotion of midrib is 144A with some areas of 144B and 143C and centralzone slightly lighter than the borders. The narrow distal part of themidrib is darker and more uniform in color than the proximal portion. Itis 144A, except for the most distal 2-2.5 cm, which is 137A, as is mostof the tip. Potions of primary veins and some secondary veins in thedistal part are 144B-D. On the front side distal approximately 1/3 ofmidrib, the tip and primary veins close to the tip are 137A-B.

Spadix:

Size.--5.2-9.0 cm long; 1.6-1.9 cm in diameter.

Color.--Pistils 158A-B, perianth 158C-D.

Botanical flower:

Perianth.--Well visible between pistils, segments united.

Pistil.--Relatively long and narrow; extends approximately 4 mm beyondperianth.

Stamens.--not visible before pollen release.

Flowering: Approximately 15 months after planting tissue cultureproduced microcutting one to two white spathes present above foliage.

Spathe Longevity: Spathe remains white for up to 4.5 weeks following budappearance above foliage and then gradually changes to a green color.

Roots: Thick, cream-brownish main roots, abundant fine lateral roots.

Disease and insect resistance: No unusual susceptibility to diseases orinsects noted to date.

Comparison With The Known Cultivars

The new cultivar can be compared to the known cultivars `Viscount` and`Supreme`. Observations for comparisons were made on plants grown undersimilar conditions in a greenhouse near Altha, Fla.

`Bond B` is distinguished from `Viscount` by its more dominant mainstem; leaf blades slightly larger and more variable in shape; shorterleaf tips; slightly closer proximity of spathes to foliage; greener,usually more elongated spathes, with shorter tips and often leaning atmaturity.

`Bond B` is distinguished from `Supreme` by its earlier and moreabundant branching; smaller, thicker, glossier and darker leaf blades,shorter spadixes; greener, smaller, more elliptic, less cupped, lessupright spathes, with more cuneate bases.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Spathiphyllum plant named`Bond B`, substantially as described and illustrated herein,characterized particularly as to novelty by its medium size; abundantbranching; relatively large, dark green, thick, glossy leaves and mediumto large spathes held on strong peduncles moderately high above foliage.